Pittsburgh-Based Organization Collecting Video Games For Military Personnel

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There are dozens of non-profit organizations in Pittsburgh that help and support military personnel and veterans.

One group is doing things a little differently, by collecting donations of some of the most asked-for items by troops – video games.

Pittsburgh-based Stack-Up.org uses a shared loving of gaming to support deployed men and women in countries across the globe.

Founder and CEO Stephen Machuga turned to his console for comfort after his Iraq tour in 2003.

"It was a healthier way for me to deal with the stress of being back home and trying to adjust," Machuga told KDKA's Kym Gable.

His wife, Margo, and fellow volunteers spend hours boxing up games, consoles and hand-held devices to ship overseas.

"It helps tremendously to support these people with something they want, actually being able to fulfill a wish list. The requests kept coming in," said Machuga. "I asked the game industry and it's this circular loop. It worked out great."

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Veteran and founding member Nate Serephine says it is therapy disguised as recreation.

"You have food, shelter, clothing, but what you don't have is something you can bond over. At the end of the day, you can relax with and kind of have that camaraderie with your fellow soldiers," said Serephine.

Stack-Up.org was founded in November and has about 30 support groups across the country.